Tile-molding machine.



2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATBNTED JAN. 16, 1906. A. GLENN.

TILE MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 27, 1905.

M m m m L w 8 m .r 1 W Z w w L T |i "w l 3 r J m 4 ,M m 4 9 fl 5 J (IMVMHI (Q M Hle. lxfll'] ixlilll a 7 1i 7 6., i 6 a F a H 5 M ,fln m a 0 v Z 52:: Z 5 8 1 w PATBNTED JAN. 16, 1906.

A. GLENN.

TILE MOLDING MACHINE.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 27 1905.

W m 3 y 8 v 1 1 v, .4, 1;/w. m 4 9 0 M A, j i M 9 M; a W v 6. WM 4, m m w N, 1W 5 1Lirmflmrwmrmlair;vwtwlmhlwrfilrwfifllwnlhJ mwWm i ZQIUU) l wman-tor Unrrnn srarssra'rnn'r orrren,

ALLEN GLENN, OF SORANTON, IOVA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO SILAS O. KIOUS, OF SCRANTON, lOl VA.

TILE -MOLDINGLMACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 16, 1906.

Application filed January 27. 1905. Serial No. 242,917.

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALLEN GLENN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Scranton, in the county of Greene and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Tile-Holding Machine, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates particularly to improvements in means for manufacturing cement or concrete tiles; and the principal object is to provide a novel machine of this character by means of which such tiles may be successfully produced with rapidity and at comparatively small expense. Another object is to provide a machine in which tiles of different diameters can be manufactured, the necessary changes and adj ustments to the machine being capable of convenient and ready accomplishment.

An embodiment of the invention which is at the present time considered a preferable one is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and is described in the following specification. The claims hereto appended will indicate, however, that the invention is not limited to this particular embodiment.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through portions of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail horizontal sectional view, on an enlarged scale, through the tamper-operating means. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the mutilated gear.

Similar reference-numerals designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawlngs.

In the embodiment illustrated a supporting-frame is employed, comprising suitable upright standards 4, mounted on a base 5. Journaled on this base at one side of the supporting-frame is an upright spindle 6, carrying at its upper end a mold-supporting table 7, the stem projecting through the table, as shown at S, and constituting a centeringpin, as hereinafter described. A drive-shaft 9, journaled on the standards 4 between the ends thereof, is adapted to be driven by any suitable source of poweras, for instance, manually through the medium of a handlecrank 10 or from a motor, the belt from which operates upon suitable loose and tight pulleys 11. Secured to this motor-shaft is a sprocket-wheel 12, connected to another has a central opening to receive the centeringpin 8. This base-plate carries an upstanding ring or annular flange 19 concentric to the pin and constituting a guide or keeper for the inner and outer walls 20 and 21 of the mold, thus being collapsible. It is to be observed these walls being constructed of sections, and that the inner wall 20 projects considerably above the outer wall and may be provided with a cap 22, having a central journal-stem 23 projecting upwardly from the same. A swinging journal-bracket 24 has a box 25 at its outer end, that receives the journal-pin.

For the purpose of feeding the cement or concrete to the mold a hopper 26 is employed, mounted above the mold-supporting table and having a suitably-hinged spout 27, that directs the material into the open top of the mold. Within this hopper is located an upright rotatable shaft 28, having agitatorfingers 29, said shaft carrying at its upper end a gear 30 in mesh with a gear 31, carried by a counter-shaft 32, journaled in the supportingframe. The shaft 32 is driven from another counter-shaft 33 through the medium of sprocket-wheels 34 and a sprocket-chain 35, and the shaft 33 receives its movement from the drive-shaft. To this end the said drive shaft is provided with a sprocketwheel 36, loosely journaled thereon and adapted to be connected thereto by a clutch 37, which clutch is operated by means of a hand-lever 38, and the sprocket-wheel 36 is connected to a sprocket-wheel 39 on the shaft 33 by means of a sprocket-chain 40.

Tamping mechanism coacts with the mold supporting table and the mold carried thereby, this mechanism consisting of averticallyreciprocating tamper-bar 41, mounted in a vertical guide 42, that is adjustably mounted on the supporting-frame by means of connecting-bars 43, extending transversely of said frame and secured thereto by suitable fasteners 44, passing through slots 45 in the bars 43. The upper portion of the tamperbar 41 has a rack 46, with which meshes a mulilated gear, (designated as a whole by the reference-numeral 47 which gear is ad ustably mounted on the end of the shaft 33. The gear, as shown, preferably comprises a body 48, on which are slidably mounted teeth-segments 49, the same being urged outwardly by springs 50, located behind said teeth. The teeth of these segments are arranged to mesh with the rack 46 of the tamper-bar. The said tamper-bar may also be movable laterally toward and from the gear, and for this purpose a guide-bar 51 is located against the side of the tamper-bar opposite the rack, the guide-bar being borne against by springs 52, which thus urge the rack toward the gearwheel.

Journaled in an ear 53 on one of the standards 4 of the supporting-frame is a bracket 54, having a handle 55 at one end and an outstanding arm 56 at its other end, which arm carries at its free terminal a finishing-scraper 57, that is adapted to be placed upon the open upper end of the mold. The bracket furthermore carries a depending leg 58, to the lower end of which is secured a brush 59, that operates upon the base-plate 18 about the bottom of the mold.

The operation of the machine can be briefly outlined, as follows The assembled mold hav ing been placed upon the table and the material having been inserted into the hopper upon operating the drive-shaft the table, and consequently the mold, will be rotated,while the said material will be fed into the mold. The rotating mutilated gear will intermittently elevate the tamper and permit it to descend upon the material in the mold, and as said tamper is raised accordingly as the mold fills the gear-wheel will continue to cooperate with the rack or with different portions thereof. Should the ends of the teeth on the gear wheel strike the ends of the teeth on the rack, either the rack or the teeth-segments of the wheel will yield suiiiciently to permit their relative movement until the teeth of one properly interfit with the teeth of the other, and thus all danger of breakage is avoided. When the mold is properlyfilled, the clutch 37- is operated to disconnect the sprocket-wheel 36 from the drive-shaft, thus stopping the tamper and the feed of the material. The table still continues to rotate, however, and consequently the finishing-scraper will properly act upon the upper end of the article in the mold, while the brush will remove any surplus material that falls upon the base. Now it is well known that tiles made of cement or concrete must stand in the molds a considerable time in order to set. In this structure therefore the mold may be bodily removed, the bracket 54 being swung out of the way and the j ournal-bracket 24 being disengaged from the cap, whereupon the base, with the mold-wall supported thereon, is lifted from the table and a new mold placed in position. The structure is then ready for continued op eration. If it is desired to make tiles of different diameter, all that becomes necessary is to provide molds of the proper size and to adjust the tamper toward or from the axis of rotation of the table. This is easily accomplished by adjusting the guide 42 with respect to the supporting-frame, and consequently with relation to the axis of rotation of the table. This will carry the tamper nearer to or farther away from the said axis of rotation, as will be apparent. The same longitudinal bracket can be employed, as it will assume a nearly horizontal position, being carried by the tamper-guide, and consequently adjustable therewith. While in this particular embodiment both the teeth-segments and the rack with which the same cooperate are shown as yieldingly urged toward each other, it is possible that either may be employed to secure the proper coaction between the teeth. It will thus be seen that a simple machine is provided, whereby tiles of different diameters can be expeditiously manufactured at com.- paratively small cost.

From the foregoing it is thought thatthe construction, operation, and many advantages of the herein-described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a rotatable mold-supporting table, of movable means for feeding material to a mold placed on the table, driving means, gearing connecting the driving means and table, and gearing connecting the driving and feeding means, said gearing including a clutch that permits the rotation of the mold-supporting table independently of the feeding means.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a rotatable mold-support, of a movable tamping device coacting with the table, driving means, gearing connecting the driving means and table, and gearing connecting the driving means and tamping device, said latter gearing including a clutch whereby the tamper can be stopped while the table will continue to revolve.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a rotatable mold-support, of'movable means for feeding material to a mold placed on the support, driving means, gearing connecting the driving means and support, gearing connecting the driving and feeding means, said gearing including aclutch whereby the feeding means may be stopped while the support continues to revolve, and means normally stationary with respect to the support and coacting with the mold placed thereon for finishing an article in saidmold.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a rotatable mold-support, of a movable tamping device coacting therewith, driving means, gearing connecting the driving means and support, gearing connecting the driving means and tamping device, said latter gearing including a clutch by means of which the tamping device can be stopped and'the support rotated independently of the movement thereof, and means coacting with a mold placed on the support for finishing an article made in such mold, said means being normally stationary with respect to the support.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a supporting-frame, of a rotatable table, a driving-shaft, gearing connecting the driving-shaft and table for rotat ing the latter, feeding meansincluding arotatable agitator, a reciprocatory tamper, gearing connecting the driving shaft and the tamper and agitator, said gearing including a clutch by means of which the tamper and agitator can be stopped and the table rotated independently thereof, a mold detachably supported on the table, and a finishingscraper movably mounted on the supportingframe and coacting with the mold.

6. In a machine of the class described, the

combination with a supporting-frame, of aframe and having a longitudinal sliding engagement with one of the same to permit the adjustment of the guide toward and from the axis of rotation of the table, and means for holding the bars against such movement to hold the guide in different positions with respect to the axis of rotation of the table.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a supporting-frame, of a rotatable mold supporting table, a guide, holding-bars secured to the guide and slidable longitudinally of the supporting-frame to carry the guide toward and from the axis of rotation of the table, and bolts for clamping the bars against movement to the frame to hold the guide against movement.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a reciprocatory tamper, of means for reciprocating the tamper, said means including a device that engages the tamper, and means permitting the relative lateral movement between the tamper and device when the same are in engagement with each other.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a reciprocatory tamper, of

driving means for reciprocating the tamper, said means including a device that engages the tamper, and means for yieldingly maintaining the device and tamper in positions to coact, said yielding means permitting the movement of the driving means independently of the tamper.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a reciprocatory tamper having a rack, of means for reciprocating the tamper, said means including a rotatable mutilated gear that meshes with the rack, and means for yieldingly maintaining the rack and gear in position to coact, but permitting the movement of the latter independently of the former.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a reciprocatory tamper having a rack, of means for reciprocating the tamper, said means including a gear having yieldingly-projected teeth.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a reciprocatory tamper having a rack, of means for reciprocating the tamper, said means including a mutilated gear having a tooth-segment yieldingly supported thereon and arranged to mesh with the rack.

13. In a machine of the class described, the

combination with a reciprocatory tamper 5 having a rack, of means for reciprocating the tamper'including a gear that meshes with the rack, and means for yieldingly urging the rack toward the gear.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a reciprocatory tamper, of means for reciprocating the tamper, said means including a rotatable mutilated gear, a rack carried by the tamper and meshing with the gear, and a yielding guide engaging the rack to urge the same toward the gear.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a rotatable mold-support, of a reciprocatory tamper coacting therewith and including a rack, a rotatable mutilated gear coacting with the rack to elevate the tamper, a guide bearing against the rack, and springs bearing against the guide to urge the same and the rack toward the gear.

16. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a rotatable mold-table, of a supporting table located alongside the same, a vertically-reciprocating tamper co operating with the table and having a rack, driving means connected to the table for retating the same, a rotatable mutilated gear having connections with the driving means and meshing with the rack to elevate the same, said gear including a yieldingly-projected tooth section, a guide bearing against the rack of the tamper, and springs engaging the guide.

17. In a machine of the class described,the combination with a stationary supportingframe, of a rotatable mold-supporting table ITO movable With respect to the frame, a mold mounted on the table, and a journal-bracket movably mounted on the supporting-frame and having a journal-bearing on the upper portion of the mold.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination With a stationary supportingframe, of a rotatable mold-supporting table having a centering device thereon, a mold mounted on, the table and centered by said device, and a journal bracket movably mounted on the supporting-frame and held against rotation, said bracket having a journal-bearing detachably engaging the mold in line With the axis of rotation thereof and coacting With the upper portion of the mold.

19. In a machine of the class described, the

combination With a supporting-frame, of a' rotatable mold-supporting table having a journal-pin, a mold mounted on the table and centered on said pin, a cap for the mold,

and a journal-bracket movably mounted on the supporting-frame and coacting With the cap.

20. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a supportingframe, of a rotatable mold-supporting table having an upstanding ournal-pin, a mold comprising a base-plate centered on the table by said pin, innerand outer Walls carried by the baseplate, a cap for the inner Walls, said cap having an upstanding journal-pin, and a journalbracket pivotally mounted on the frame and having a boX that receives the j ournal-pin of the cap. I

21. In a machine of the class described, the

combination with a rotatable mold-support,

of a mold mounted thereon, a brush mounted adjacent to the mold-support and operating about the base of the mold, a scraper operating on the mold, and common supporting means for the scraper and brush.

22. In a machine of the class described, the combination With a rotatable mold-support, of a mold mounted thereon and having an open top, means for feeding material to the mold through the open top, a supportingframe, a swinging bracket mounted on the frame, a finishing scraper carried by the bracket and operating on the open top of the mold, and a brush also supported by said bracket operating about the base of the mold.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

ALLEN GLENN;

Witnesses S. G. KIoUs, J. W. PREsNELL. 

